Contents

Release Dates

The first game in the Breath of Fire series, Breath of Fire was released in Japan in April 1993, then North America in October 1994. Almost ten years later, the game was re-released for the GBA, with new character designs and general polishing up. It was available in Japan in July 2001, and in North America and Europe on December 13th and 14th respectively of the same year.

Gameplay

On first starting the game (GBA), you can choose the text speed (fast, normal or slow), whether Dash is 'normal' or 'auto' and whether the music is on or off.

Starting a new game is a little tricky. First, choose 'new game', choose the name of your hero, and set the above options. You'll then be taken back to the starting screen, where you must choose to load the save you just created.

In-game, saving can be done through statues of the Dragon God, which are usually found in temples. The player can also make a quick save from the world map, although this will result in the game being turned off.

The world of Breath of Fire has a very basic time system - a simple switch between day and night. Some things can only be accomplished at one time or the other, such as breaking into Nanai which must be done at night.

Battle System

Battles take place on a detailed screen of whatever area Ryu is currently standing in. With the exception of boss fights, battles are random and usually take place on the world map or in dungeons.

It is possible to put your party on 'auto' mode for each battle, by pressing 'left' to select auto, then confirming with 'a'. In auto mode your party will continue to attack until the player either presses 'b' to cancel or until either they or the enemies are dead.

Storyline

The plot focuses on the war between the tribes of the Light and Dark Dragons. Years before, when the Dragon Tribe were at their strongest, a Goddess of Desire named Tyr appeared. She granted wishes, and the Dragon Tribe tore each other apart, fighting for her. Eventually, a legendary warrior and his seven comrades managed to contain her with six keys, which were then scattered throughout the world. The Light Dragon family fought to keep the balance, and largely succeeded - until Zog of the Dark Dragons decided to take over the world.

Over the years, the families lost their Dragon powers, and are now Dragon in name only. It is widely believed that the Light Family still retains this power, although this is not the case.

From this point on, this section contains spoilers.

Drogen

Ryu wakes up to the destruction of the village. It is revealed that the Dark Dragon family are attacking the Light Dragons - emperor Zog, the leader of the Dark Dragons fears them, because he believes they still have the power of the Dragon.

As the Dark Dragons amass outside, the villagers of Drogen vow to fight with Sara. Knowing that to do so would be certain death, she temporarily turns them - including Ryu - to stone. Before leaving, she whispers in her brother's petrified ear;

Sara confronting Jade in Drogen.

"Be strong. When you're a warrior, you'll bring peace to the world."

Outside, Sara faces Zog's second-in-command Jade. He informs her that the Dark Dragons hold the six Goddess Keys, which hold the Goddess of Desire, Tyr. Her release would bring disaster on the Dragon tribe, as it did before. They must be stopped - but, unfortunately it won't be by Sara.

Several hours after the battle, Ryu and the other villagers awaken. Many flee to nearby Camlon. With only the clothes on his back, Ryu follows them.

Camlon

Following the fleeing residents of Drogen, Ryu finds Camlon in ruins, after being attacked by the Dark Dragons. Monsters have also taken up residence in Camlon Castle, which Ryu must clear.

After clearing the castle, the King realises that Ryu is a true hero, and comments on his scar. However, the conversation is cut short by an earthquake, and the realisation that the Dark Dragons must be in control of the 'Quake Control'. Ryu is asked to go to Nanai and switch it off.

Nanai

Ryu enters Nanai to find it heavily guarded. Waiting until nightfall, he sneaks past the guards and enters the palace. Heading underground, he finds a Knight guarding the machine. After defeating him, Ryu removes the key from the Quake Machine, only to hear a sinister voice warn him;

"...Run while you can. For I am returning..."

Not needing to be told twice, Ryu uses the portal to the left of the machine to get out of Nanai as the city collapses. An advisor from Camlon takes him back to the King, where he is hailed as a true hero, despite the destruction of Nanai. He is advised to head to Winlan, where he will find a bridge to the next Kingdom - conveniently the destruction of Nanai has stopped it from continuing to block his path.

Winlan

On reaching Winlan, Ryu finds that he needs the King's permission to use the bridge. However, when he arrives at the palace, he finds that the King is unavailable. Having refused to betray the other Kingdoms to the Dark Dragons, he has been poisoned by the Wizard of Karma.

Ryu battles a monster (SNES version).

Princess Nina of Winlan, in charge by proxy, has decided to keep this a secret until she can find the remedy needed. Ryu is shown to one of the castle's guestrooms and asked to stay the night, waiting for the King's return. Nina sets out to find the remedy.

Romero

After heading through Aura Cave, Nina and her guards reach 'the backwards town' of Romero. There, they find zombies wandering the village. Talking to a few villagers reveals that the Wizard of Karma has used a potion to bring the dead back to life - and that since he began using it, the ground has become discoloured, and the girls of the village have begun to disappear.

Nina's group head through Ramui Woods, to the west of Romero, and from there to Karma Tower.

Karma Tower

Nina and her party fight their way up past the ghosts of Karma Tower. On the topmost floor, they find the missing girls of Romero, who it seems the wizard had been using to text his potion on. The party continue to the room where the Remedy is kept. Angered by the release of his prisoners, the Wizard unleashes Xeon gas, which is fatal to Winlan people. Although Nina and her guards attempt to fight, it is no good. Nina decides that she will distract the wizard while one of the guards escapes to fetch help. Although this plan succeeds, the wizard is so angered that Nina and her remaining guard are soon defeated.

Back in Winlan, they ask the 'outsider' Ryu to help, realising that Xeon gas won't hurt him. He agrees to rescue Nina, and is flown to Karma tower by the guard. There he defeats the wizard. While thanking him, Nina collapses, and Ryu carries her up the stairs. They head back to Winlan, to take the remedy to the King.

Return to Winlan

Characters

Player Characters

Ryu - the silent protagonist. A member of the Light Dragon tribe. You may choose his name at the beginning of the game.

Nina - a winged Wyndian princess. Her hometown is actually known as Winlan in this incarnation.

Deis - occasionally known as Bleu, due to a mistranslation issue on the part of Squaresoft. An ageless sorceress Naga.